Salt alternatives aren't common yet, but three new salt substitutes have been launched in an attempt to take advantage of several major food corporations' announced intentions to reduce sodium in their products.
NutraSalt 66, SaltPro and SaltWise are all being billed as salt alternatives -- the kind that may be needed by Unilever and ConAgra if they are to meet their stated goals of reducing sodium content in their packaged goods by 2010 and 2015, respectively.
Reducing sodium intake is likely to be the next major health trend, although that will require a paradigm shift. Most people still associate less
salt with less taste -- when was the last time you saw someone ordering the unsalted
soft pretzels at Kauffman Stadium?
The New York Times recently called out New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg for asking restaurants in the city to reduce the sodium in dishes by 20 percent and encouraging people to stop asking waiters for salt -- even as he "dumps salt on almost everything, even Saltine crackers."
But if one of the salt alternatives can successfully mimic the taste while reducing overall sodium content, you can bet there will be an explosion of goods marketing that claim, just as Stevia and Splenda have become standard sugar stand-ins.
We've taken on sugar, fat, carbohydrates, and now, salt. It feels like we're headed towards eating sand. But sadly, even sand wouldn't be an option -- too much salt.
[Image via Flickr: kevin dooley]
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If people would just try eating food without adding salt for a few weeks...just give it a couple, even...I'd imagine they'd all realize just how good FOOD actually tastes! Your palate adjusts to the lack of the seasoning eventually.
Ugh...I hate the salted pretzels served out in stadiums and the like. If I have to get one with salt, I knock pretty much all of it off before I can put it in my mouth. Blech.
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